Razzies cofounder says anger over nomination of Firestarter’s Ryan Kiera Armstrong, 12, ‘overblown’

The cofounder of the Golden Raspberry Awards, known as the Razzies, responded to an angry response on social media over the newly-announced nomination of 12-year-old actress Ryan Kiera Armstrong, saying he believed the reaction was ‘overblown.’

Controversy ensued when Armstrong was nominated for Worst Actress for her performance in the film Firestarter, with many people taking to social media calling out the award show for bullying and a toxic message in nominating a preteen performer.

Cofounder John Wilson chat with Buzzfeed about the row, which comes less than a year after the show last year had to rescind a category mocking actor Bruce Willis after his diagnosis with aphasia was revealed publicly.

The latest: The co-founder of the Golden Raspberry Awards, known as the Razzies, responded to an angry response over the newly-announced nomination of 12-year-old actress Ryan Kiera Armstrong, saying he believed the reaction was ‘overblown.’ She was pictured in LA last fall

Wilson said that he ‘can see how it could be taken’ as mean-spirited, but doesn’t ‘think that was how it was meant.’

He added, ‘I think people who get upset about it – I don’t even know how to say this. The rage is interesting – perhaps somewhat justified, but I think overblown. There’s a righteousness about it. It’s the Razzie Awards, for goodness’ sake!’

Wilson said that ‘the intent’ on the nomination ‘was to be funny,’ and that ‘in this particular instance, we seem to have misstepped very badly.’

According to Wilson, the preteen actress is considered an ‘experienced actress, even if she’s only 12,’ and came in fifth in votes from around 1,100 voting members in the category, which also includes Bryce Dallas Howard (Jurassic Park: Dominion), Diane Keaton (Mack & Rita), Kaya Scodelario (The King’s Daughter) and Alicia Silverstone (The Requin).

The annual award show is earmarked to highlight the worst of Hollywood’s output the previous year 

Armstrong appeared along Zac Efron in the 2022 adaptation of the Stephen King novel 

Among those to vent their displeasure on social media was child actor Julian Hilliard, 11, who tweeted, ‘The razzies are already mean-spirited & classless, but to nominate a kid is just repulsive & wrong. Why put a kid at risk of increased bullying or worse? Be better.’

In response to a user who called the show a joke, Hilliard replied, ‘Nope, not when it involves a kid. That “joke” can have a very negative impact. They crossed a line.’

Another user said of the nomination, ‘This is beyond the pale. As a critic, I believe in being honest about movies but there is zero reason to be cruel. Treating a child this way is monstrous.’

Among those to vent their displeasure on social media was child actor Julian Hilliard

One user suggested the show rescind Armstrong’s nomination after the decision involving Willis last year.

‘Just like when they Rescinded Bruce Willis’s Category Razzie Noms Last Year, I’m calling on #Razzies to Rescind Nom of Ryan Kiera Armstrong in Worst Actress,’ the user wrote. ‘They crossed line. She’s a Kid. Kids should be OFF LIMITS when it comes to Razzie. It’s Time to Rescind it & End Them!’

Another user suggested that ‘nominating a young talent isn’t fair,’ as they are still learning, and ‘it’s the equivalent of bashing someone’s first time cooking a complex recipe.’

Another user said nominating a performer who is young and still learning is not fair, while another person said it is ‘monstrous’ 

The show last year had to rescind a category mocking actor Bruce Willis after his diagnosis with aphasia was revealed publicly

One user suggested the show rescind Armstrong’s nomination after the decision involving Willis last year